Michigan continued its dominant Big Ten stretch Friday night, pulling away in the second half to secure a 74-62 win over rival Ohio State at a sold-out Crisler Center in front of U-M legend and Columbus native Trey Burke, who was honored before the game. With a balanced offensive attack, efficient interior play, and stifling defense, the Wolverines once again looked every bit like a team built for a deep March run.
The game was competitive early, with Ohio State hanging around behind a strong performance from John Mobley Jr., who finished with a game-high 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting and four three-pointers. The Buckeyes trailed by just three at halftime, 33-30, after trading runs throughout the opening 20 minutes.
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But Michigan seized control after the break.
The Wolverines outscored Ohio State 41-32 in the second half, turning up the defensive pressure and dominating the paint. Aday Mara provided a steady presence inside, scoring 11 points on 3-of-4 shooting while adding six rebounds and continuing to alter shots around the rim. Morez Johnson Jr. was perfect from the field, finishing with 12 points on 6-of-6 shooting and grabbing seven rebounds, repeatedly punishing Ohio State on the interior.
Yaxel Lendeborg once again stuffed the stat sheet and proved to be Michigan’s most complete player. He led the Wolverines with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting, added nine rebounds, and chipped in four assists. His late dunk off a feed from Elliot Cadeau with under a minute to play punctuated the win and brought the crowd to its feet.
Cadeau’s impact went far beyond scoring. The sophomore point guard finished with just six points but dished out eight assists, consistently creating quality looks and keeping Michigan’s offense in rhythm. The Wolverines finished with 16 assists on 27 made field goals, a reflection of the ball movement that has defined their season.
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While Ohio State shot a respectable 41% from the field, Michigan’s defense limited the Buckeyes to just 22% shooting from three-point range (5-for-23). The Wolverines also controlled the glass, winning the rebounding battle 36-27 and holding Ohio State’s secondary scorers in check. No Buckeye outside of Mobley and Christoph Tilly (17 points) reached double figures.
Michigan’s efficiency ultimately told the story. The Wolverines shot 52% from the floor, scored 36 points in the paint, and consistently generated second-chance and high-percentage opportunities, especially in the second half when they stretched the lead to as many as 15.
With the victory, Michigan adds another convincing performance to an already impressive résumé. The Wolverines didn’t just beat a rival — they imposed their style, showcased their depth, and once again looked like one of the most complete teams in the country.
